WATCH: Work starts on demolition of factories as part of Marsa project

Posted On November 13, 2017 - Updated 13 November, 2017 2:39pm

Report: Melvic Zammit

Photos: Melvic Zammit

Two factories at the edge of the Marsa industrial zone have been relocated to Hal Far and Bulebel industrial areas in order to make way for the Marsa junction project, considered by Transport Malta as the biggest ever roads project for Malta. Demolition of the first factory has already started, and work will be completed by March for the start of the second phase of the project, with the widening of Aldo Moro Road.

During an on-site visit together with Transport Malta officials and project architects, Minister for Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg stated that both factories are having to be demolished to make space for the system of roads and flyovers.

The architect responsible for the project, Antoinette Conti, stated that the first phase of the project will be completed by March.

Antoinette Conti explained that works have already started on the first part of the first contract, which basically involved demolition of the factories centrally situated in the area which will eventually house the junction, and they have therefore started with BIM Limited, whose factory has been located whilst the contractor has started demolishing the factory.

Conti added that demolition of the second factory, Astra Cast, will start in January, after the factory is allocated to Bulebel. Minister Borg added that for the present, demolition works will not effect traffic movement.

“Traffic flow will not change, as the work will be contained in the industrial park. When this work is completed, there will be direction by the Authority, and I call on everyone to cooperate,” Dr Borg stated.

Minister Borg added that the second phase of the project will include widening and reconstruction of Aldo Moro Street. The adjudication process is presently under way for this contract, for which offers have been tendered by both local and foreign companies.

With an investment of about 70 million euro, the project will be carried out in three phases, with the main part being the building of seven flyovers planned in different directions to cope with traffic from Aldo Moro Road.